2. Restorative Dialogue: A Transformative Journey of Peacemaking Mark S. Umbreit, Ph.D. Center for Restorative Justice & Peacemaking University of Minnesota, School of Social Work 2004

3. Underlying Assumptions of Restorative Dialogue Conflict understood as a wound in relationships and fabric of the community Changing hearts and minds requires human encounter, acknowledgement of each other’s story, and tolerance of differences Focus is on humanizing the conflict and repairing the harm

4. Characteristics of Restorative Dialogue Creation of a safe place where people can speak and listen from the heart Suspension of judgmental attitudes Openness to hearing the life context of the other person

5. Characteristics of Restorative Dialogue Seeking to hear the truth in the other’s position even while not necessarily agreeing A spirit of humility and compassion, for all

6. Characteristics of Restorative Dialogue Transformative impact on relationships From stereotypes based on absence of personal context

7. Characteristics of Restorative Dialogue To relationships that place the conflict in the context of each other’s personal story From “I-It” to “I-Thou” relationships as described by the philosopher Martin Buber

8. Facilitator Activities in Restorative Dialogue Preparation of the facilitator – self-care Being centered and focused Separate preparation meetings with the involved parties

9. Facilitator Activities in Restorative Dialogue Deep compassionate listening Hearing and honoring the personal stories of all Connecting with people, remaining impartial

10. Facilitator Activities in Restorative Dialogue Listening and speaking from the heart, as well as the head Listening to the language of the body and spirit, as well as the language of the mind Honoring the healing power of silence

11. Facilitator Activities in Restorative Dialogue Listening for the strength and compassion within the parties Communicating warmth and safety in opening the dialogue Facilitator says little in dialogue, yet is totally emotionally present, intervening only when absolutely necessary

12. Phases of Restorative-Transformative Dialogue I. Preparation II. Cultivation

13. Phases of Restorative-Transformative Dialogue III. Engagement IV. Integration

14. Pathways to Restorative Dialogue One-on-one dialogue with NO FACILITATOR Group dialogue with NO FACILITATOR

15. Pathways to Restorative Dialogue One-on-one dialogue (often with support people present) WITH FACILITATOR Group dialogue WITH FACILITATOR

16. Approaches to Restorative Dialogue “ Many streams flowing into the healing river of transformative dialogue ” VICTIM OFFENDER CONFERENCING, also known as victim offender mediation or reconciliation Strength: More direct, intimate, informative to primary people affected Limitation: The impact and needs of other people affected are not shared

18. Approaches to Restorative Dialogue “ Many streams flowing into the healing river of transformative dialogue ” FAMILY GROUP CONFERENCING Strength: Others affected by conflict (family members, other support people) are part of process Limitation: Not as much attention to needs of primary people affected

20. Approaches to Restorative Dialogue “ Many streams flowing into the healing river of transformative dialogue ” COMMUNITY GROUP CONFERENCING Strength: Others affected by conflict (family members, other support people) are part of process Limitation: Not as much attention to needs of primary people affected

21. Approaches to Restorative Dialogue “ Many streams flowing into the healing river of transformative dialogue ” TALKING OR HEALING CIRCLES Strength: Others affected by conflict (family members, other support people, others in the community) are part of process Limitation: Not as much attention to needs of primary people affected

22. Approaches to Restorative Dialogue “ Many streams flowing into the healing river of transformative dialogue ” PEACEMAKING CIRCLES Strength: Others affected by conflict (family members, other support people, others in the community) are part of process Limitation: Not as much attention to needs of primary people affected

24. Approaches to Restorative Dialogue “ Many streams flowing into the healing river of transformative dialogue ” ALL OF THE ABOVE, WITH SURROGATE VICTIMS AND OFFENDERS, OR HYBRIDS Strength: Allows for maximum flexibility in meeting needs, particularly when the actual victim and offender cannot meet Limitation: Actual victim/offender never meet

25. Evidence-based Practice: Restorative Dialogue in Action MORE THAN 63 EMPIRICAL STUDIES – 50 on of victim offender mediation – 10 on family group conferencing – 3 on peacemaking circles

26. Evidence-based Practice: Restorative Dialogue in Action Victim Satisfaction is high Offender Satisfaction is high Restitution Compliance is increased Recidivism is reduced

27. Evidence-based Practice: Restorative Dialogue in Action RECIDIVISM STUDY – Meta Analysis (Nugent, Umbreit, Wiinamaki, Paddock, 2001) Sample of 1,298 juvenile offenders VOM = 619, Comparison Group = 679 32% REDUCTION IN RECIDIVISM

28. Pitfalls and Unintended Negative Consequences - 1 Retro-fitting the language of RJ to the same old stuff (Talking the talk but not walking the talk) Where’s the Victim? Where’s the Community? Where’s opportunities for RJ Dialogue? (V/O mediation, family group conferencing, circles) In-appropriate referrals of severely violent cases by well-intentioned officials U

29. Pitfalls and Unintended Negative Consequences - 2 Mandating offenders to meet their victim(s) Inadequate training/support of volunteers Co-opting the movement by CJS Reinforcing offender-driven CJS

30. Pitfalls and Unintended Negative Consequences - 3 Marginalizing the movement OR “The McDonaldization of RJ Movement” (Fast-food version of RJ dialogue – Quick, efficient, no preparation, limited impact) Widening and strengthening the net of social control – limited impact as alternative process

31. Opportunities for Expanding the vision - 1 Initiating a system wide commitment for citizens to access local community-based RJ practices as first choice to deal with most crime, with legal right to access formal CJS as back-up alternative for those who are not satisfied with restorative justice.

32. Opportunities for Expanding the vision - 2 Developing an increased number of hybrids that integrate and compensate for the strengths and limitations of individual RJ interventions. Increasing the use of surrogate victim offender community dialogue (Examples of CVORJ/MN and Genessee County).

33. Opportunities for Expanding the vision - 3 Applying RJ principles & practices in school settings from elementary through college, on a system-wide basis. Expanding the use of RJ principles and practices in workplace settings.

34. Opportunities for Expanding the vision - 4 Building increased support and involvement for victims of violent crime, including victim intervention projects and victim offender dialogue programs. Developing broad-based legislative support for public resources to support RJ movement, based on evidence of its impact

35. Opportunities for Expanding the vision - 5 Building more bridges between dominant European culture and the many ethnic groups and communities of color in American society. Strengthening the fabric of community and civic responsibility by increasing involvement in community-based initiatives.